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David Shipps, C’88, appointed director of Babson Center for Global Commerce

David Shipps

Dean of the College Terry Papillon has announced the appointment of David Shipps, C’88, as director of the university’s Babson Center for Global Commerce, effective June 16. The Babson Center is the center for co-curricular experiences in business and a strong partner to the Wm. Polk Carey Pre-Business Program.

Shipps was most recently vice president for global partnerships at IBM’s Weather Company Division. There he led a team responsible for managing and expanding relationships with a portfolio of leading digital brands, including Apple, Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and Yahoo, as well as numerous vertical industries (including media, automotive, and communications hardware manufacturers). Prior to its acquisition by IBM, Shipps was senior vice president for business development at The Weather Channel.

“I am very excited to have David join us,” said Papillon. “His experience with the Weather Channel, his connections with many social media companies including Facebook and Google, and his extensive international experience will help us develop business education for students at Sewanee. David’s expertise will allow the Center to turn its focus to the types of business seen more and more by graduates of the College, both nationally and worldwide.”

Shipps holds a master's degree in business administration from Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta. He has served the University of the South as a trustee. Prior to joining the Weather Channel, he had been vice president at Cox Media Group and vice president of consumer sales and marketing at EarthLink.